As an Assistant Professor of Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Dr. Minh Tung Phung conducts research at the intersection of population health, health equity, and cancer epidemiology, with the goal of reducing the global burden of women’s cancers.
Dr. Phung’s journey to this work is a rich story that spans continents and disciplines. Originally from Vietnam, he began his career with a degree in pharmaceutical sciences before pivoting to epidemiology. His academic path took him to New Zealand, where he earned a Master of Public Health, and then to the University of Michigan for a PhD in Epidemiologic Sciences and a postdoctoral fellowship. His training has fostered a deep understanding of disease patterns and health disparities both within and across countries.
Dr. Phung’s research focuses on improving the prevention and management of women’s cancers, particularly ovarian, cervical, and breast cancers. A major focus of his work is ovarian cancer, where he studies etiology, prevention, treatment, survival and survivorship. His current pilot project, funded by the American Cancer Society’s Institutional Research Grant, examines how frailty trajectories impact survival and contribute to racial disparities in older ovarian cancer patients. Dr. Phung has also received several competitive grants to support his research, including funding from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), and the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Another key area of Dr. Phung’s research is improving cervical cancer screening in Vietnam, where his work is deeply rooted in long-standing collaborations with local partners. These partnerships allow him to bring context-specific perspectives and foster sustainable, community-informed solutions for advancing cancer care. His collaborators consistently praise his expertise, generosity, and thoughtful understanding of complex health care systems.
For students, Dr. Phung offers this advice: “Keep an open mind and appreciate the diversity in thinking, context, and expertise you encounter in global oncology. Local collaborators hold essential knowledge about their health care delivery – listen to them and learn from their experience.”
Dr. Minh Tung Phung exemplifies the compassion, creativity, and collaborative spirit that drive innovative, equity-centered cancer research.
Dr. Minh Tung Phung during a research visit in Vietnam, working alongside local collaborators to advance cervical cancer screening and data collection efforts.